Bowls India

Bowls was introduced by the British Expatriates in India, mainly for their recreation and an alternative to Golf.

Clubs such as the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, where Bowls is still an important part of its curriculam have been the flag-bearer of Bowls in India.

Bowls was introduced to the RCGC around 1830 A.D. by the expatriates serving the interest of the Empire in India, from there onwards it was exported to other clubs, vast Tea Estates and Jute Mills in East India, patronised by the British.

Initially, when the Rail system was introduced to India, it was staffed & run by the Expatriates and had a large presence of the Anglo-Indian community working for it, who instantly took to Bowls.

The Railway Hubs around the country all had very active clubs and Bowls was a favourite in these clubs untill the 1950s. Later, with the exit of the expatriates and the mass migration of the Anglo-Indian community to U.K, Australia, Canada etc., the Noble discipline fell on bad times.

Most clubs could not maintain the facilities and put their shutters down on Bowls.

In early 1980s, the last of a handfull lot of active Bowlers decided to take it upon themselves to re-surrect Bowls in India.

A National Federation, Bowling Federation of India was formed on 21st. November 1985.

The Federation got affiliated to The Indian Olympic Association followed by affiliation to the World Body in 1990.

The Federation took upon itself the mantle to promote and introduce Bowls facilities to all the States of the Republic

Many vintage inter-state Bowls Championship are still held since their inception in the early 19th. Century,The East India Singles,East India Rinks,Howrah Jacks, Brakenbridge Open C’ship are some of the many that have kept Bowls still active in the country.

• BFI is conducting National Championships for Men & Women
  
  
• BFI hosts International Inter-Port Games for South East Asian Region.
  
  
• BFI has conducted Three coaching camps under Coaches from Australia and U.K in the last Ten years
  
  
• BFI has sent Men & Women’s teams to World Bowls Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asia- Pacific C’ships, Asian Championships & Inter-Port Games.

Competition Schedule

As soon as the Training Venues are ready, the BFI Council with the assisatance of Proffessional Coaches will redrawn the Competition Calender from 2009 onwards. Properly adjust links between major International Championships, preparatory International exposures, National Championships and Regional Competitions will be paid full attention.